Warm memories might come to mind when hearing country music legend Kenny Rogers sing. This throwback to 1976 is an example.
Rogers sings in his wonderful style “The World Needs a Melody” in the bicentennial year for the United States.
He appears on screen wearing sunglasses and clothes that reflect a little bit back to his days with The First Edition. Remember him singing “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” with the group?
Meanwhile, this particular song Kenny Rogers is singing in this video comes off of his 1976 album “Love Lifted Me.” It has a bit of a pop music sound to it, yet country music fans probably can dig it as well.
Kenny Rogers Song Refers To Lovers Wanting Time Away
The song was co-written by Larry Henley, Red Lane, and Johnny Slate. Now Henley, who died in 2014, is known for also co-writing “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which was performed by Bette Midler, with Jeff Silbar in 1989.
Its lyrics reference a person asking his beloved to come with him after not being together for a bit. He or she is asking for them to get away from the troubles of the world. All they want is some time away for themselves, then return to regular life.
Here’s the first two verses and chorus for “The World Needs a Melody.”
“Every now and then
When the world steps in
Stealin’ all our time away
It soon takes so much
We forget to touch
That’s when I know
It’s time for me to say
Take my hand
Let’s walk through love’s door
And be free
From the world once more
Here’s my heart
We can hide today
And love the world away”
Listen to Kenny Rogers perform this song in his own beautiful style.
‘Coward Of The County’ Remains Favorite Of Rogers’ Fans
Kenny Rogers recorded so many great songs like the one above. Others also include “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “Lady,” and “The Coward Of The County.”
Now “Coward” asks a young boy named Tommy to obey his father’s dying wishes and shy away from trouble. He did his best to keep his word until, one day, he found out that his woman was gang-raped by a group of thugs called the Gatlin boys.
When he got home from work and found her, Tommy had to make a choice: stay true to his father’s wishes or fight back. Well, he went out and found the Gatlin boys in a local bar.
They started laughing at him, knowing that he would never fight back. But he did. Tommy locked the bar’s front door and proceeded to pound the Gatlins into a bloody mess.
The song itself and its story led to a movie being made about the song. Rogers, like he did in the movie version of “The Gambler,” had a role in “Coward Of The County.”
Kenny Rogers and his music remain memorable all these years later. Fans start humming them when hearing them on the radio or seeing videos. He left an iconic list of songs for people to fall in love with over and over again.
